Mounting frame for microcassette changer

ABSTRACT

Changer apparatus of the type having an input hopper for storing fresh record cartridges, an ouput hopper for storing used record cartridges, a recording deck for recording and for playing back messages on the record cartridges and a mechanism for transporting fresh record cartridges, one at a time, from the input hopper along a transport path to the recording deck and for transporting a used record cartridge from the recording deck to the output hopper. The apparatus further comprises a deck support device for supporting the recording deck in an operating position below the transport path and includes an element for supporting one end of the recording deck and a releasable device for supporting the opposite end of the recording deck. The device is releasable to enable the recording deck to pivot to a nonoperating position and thereby permit access thereto by an operator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to recording/reproducing apparatus and, moreparticularly, to a changer apparatus which operates with arecord/playback deck to bring fresh recording media (for recordingmessages or for transcribing or playing back information) to that deckand to remove used media (i.e., those media on which messages have beenrecorded or played back) from that deck.

In the field of dictation, central systems having, for example, acentrally disposed recorder selectively coupled to one of severaldictating stations, as by a dedicated communication link (e. g."hard-wired") or by telephone, have become popular. In one type ofcentral dictation system, messages, such as letters, reports, memorandaand the like, are recorded on discrete recording media such as magnetictape cassettes. Depending upon the preset parameters established by theusers of the dictation system, a cassette having one or more messagesrecorded thereon is replaced automatically with a fresh cassette topermit further messages to be recorded. The messages that have beenrecorded on the used cassette then are transcribed by, for example, aconventional desk-top transcribing machine. A similar central system hasbeen used for transcribing messages from cassettes, wherein a cassetteis replaced when transcription of the messages recorded thereon has beencompleted.

By centrally disposing the recorder, access thereto is presented toseveral dictators who are furnished with respective dictating stationsor with so-called telephone dictation modules from which messages may betransmitted, and which operate to control the usual dictating functions,such as record, playback, rewind, fast forward and the like. After onedictator has terminated his usage of the centrally disposed recorder,the recorder is made available to be accessed by another. Typically, therecording medium, or cassette, on which the dictator has dictated hismessages may be replaced, or ejected, after a predetermined length oftape has been consumed, or after a predetermined number of messages havebeen recorded, or after a predetermined number of different dictatorshave recorded messages thereon or after a predetermined amount of timehas elapsed since the first message was recorded. Examples of centraldictation systems using cassette changers are described in, for example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,071,857; 4,092,679; 4,092,685; and 4,099,209.

In the cassette changer central dictation systems of the type describedin the aforementioned patents, a cassette is transported via aconveyor-type mechanism from an input supply, or stack, to a recordingdeck. The deck is mounted in a movable support which positions that deckin operable relation with the cassette that has been transportedthereto. Then, after the predetermined length of tape has been consumed,or after the preset number of messages have been recorded, or after thepreset number of dictators have used the cassette, or after apredetermined duration of inactivity has elapsed, the deck is displacedand the conveyor mechanism continues in its transportation of the usedcassette to an output stack. Concurrently with this ejection of thecassette from the recording deck, a fresh cassette is transported by theconveyor mechanism from the input stack to that deck. As also describedin the aforementioned patents, if a cassette has been designated a"priority" cassette, that is, if the message or messages recorded onthat cassette are to be transcribed promptly and on a "priority" basis,the used cassette is discharged to a special priority discharge chute.There, the "priority" cassette may be given to a transcriptionistimmediately. The transcription of such "priority" cassettes need not bedeferred until all other used cassettes which precede that "priority"cassette have been transcribed.

The cassette changer apparatus of the aforedescribed type has beenprovided with one motor to drive the cassette-conveyor mechanism,another motor to drive the recording deck into operable relation withthe cassette, and yet another motor to lift the used cassette into theoutput stack. The operation of all three motors is coordinated byelectronic logic circuitry which, in one embodiment has been implementedin the form of discrete components and in another embodiment has beenimplemented in the form of a specially programmed microprocessor.

Other cassette changer devices have been known. For example, a shuttlecarriage has been proposed for transporting, or "shuttling," a cassettefrom a horizontal input stack to a recording deck and then, after one ormore messages have been recorded, from that deck to a horizontal outputstack. Another example, similar to a photographic slide projector,displaces a cassette from an input magazine, lowers that cassette onto arecording deck, returns the used cassette from the deck to the magazine,and then advances the magazine to access the next cassette therein. Afurther example is provided with a vertical input stack of cassettesfrom which the bottommost cassette is lowered onto a recording deck andthen, after one or more messages have been recorded, that cassette islifted from the deck and discharged.

One problem attending many of the aforementioned cassette changersresides in the coordination of removing a used cassette from therecording deck and replacing it with a fresh cassette from an inputsupply. Typically, separate drive motors are used to transport a freshcassette to the recording deck, load that cassette onto the deck, andeject a used cassette from that deck to an output port. It isappreciated that such coordination may be achieved by electronic controlcircuitry or microprocessors, as mentioned above, or by a relativelycomplex mechanical interlocking arrangement. The use of plural drivemotors, control electronics, and mechanical interlocking arrangements isrelatively expensive and moreover, may be difficult to service in theevent that maintenance or repairs become necessary.

The present invention proceeds by using a relatively simple drivearrangement which inherently provides proper coordination among thevarious cassette-changing operations--transporting a fresh cassette tothe recording deck, disposing that cassette in operable relation withthe deck and ejecting a used cassette from the deck to a suitable outputport. Moreover, the operating principles of the present invention permitit to be readily adapted for use as a cassette changer with standardsize cassettes, with minicassettes, with microcassettes or with the newextremely small cassette described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.4,443,827.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide improvedchanger apparatus for use with recording media, such as recording mediahoused in cartridges or cassettes.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved changerapparatus of the aforementioned type which is of relatively simpleconstruction yet exhibits accurate operation, and is relatively simpleand inexpensive to maintain and/or repair.

Another object of this invention is to provide in changer apparatus ofthe aforementioned type a single motor which operates to transport acassette from an input stack to a recording deck and further operates toeject a used cassette from that deck to an output stack.

A further object of this invention is to provide changer apparatus ofthe aforementioned type having a recording deck which can be easily andreadily accessed for relatively simple repairs or maintenance withoutrequiring dismantling or disassembling of substantial portions of theapparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide changer apparatus whichcan be used with different types of recording media, such as standardsize cassettes, minicassettes, microcassettes, cassettes of even smallersize, and other types of recording media, preferably housed incartridges.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the present inventionwill become readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description, andthe novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention, changer apparatus is provided with aninput hopper for storing a plurality of recording media, such asmagnetic tape cassettes, and an output hopper for storing cassettes thathave had messages recorded thereon by a recording deck. A movablewithdrawing element operates to withdraw a cassette from the inputhopper and deliver that cassette to a receiving device which, in turn,disposes that cassette to the recording deck. The receiving device isfurther operable to remove a cassette from the recording deck to theoutput hopper before receiving the withdrawn cassette. A rotatable camis drivingly coupled to the withdrawing element and further includes acam surface coupled to the receiving device, whereby the receivingdevice is driven to remove one cassette from the recording deck to theoutput hopper and replace it with the next cassette.

In accordance with one feature of this invention, the withdrawingelement is comprised of a pusher arm coupled to the cam by a pinconnection so as to reciprocate between opposite extreme positions asthe cam makes one complete rotation. As one aspect, the pusher arm isprovided with a groove in which the pin connection rides, the pusher armbeing biased toward the pin connection and being angled such that, asthe pin connection rides in the groove, the pusher arm is driven in adirection substantially normal to its reciprocating direction, therebyexhibiting a withdrawing movement in one plane and a return movement inanother.

As yet another feature of this invention, the recording deck issupported at a location below the transport path followed by thecassette as it is withdrawn from the input hopper. Advantageously, therecording deck is pivotally supported at one end thereof and releasablysupported at another end to enable the recording deck to pivot to anonoperating position and thereby permit access thereto by an operator.As one aspect of this feature, the recording deck is supported in aframe having a pair of flexible spaced-apart ears which are biasedtoward each other, the recording deck being mounted on a support platethat is supported by these spaced-apart ears.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example, and notintended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best beunderstood in conjunction with the drawings, also intended not to limitthis invention solely to such illustrations in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the withdrawing element used with thisinvention taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the pusher arm used as the withdrawingelement taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5'5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the changer apparatus, taken along the line6--6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 2,illustrating the initial or "home" positions of the pusher arm andelevator used in the preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 8 and showing theelevator in its uppermost position and the pusher arm in the position bywhich the bottommost cassette is in the process of being withdrawn fromthe input hopper of the changer apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 8, showing the elevatorin its intermediate position for receiving the cassette that has beenwithdrawn by the pusher arm from the input hopper;

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are side views taken along lines 11A--11A,11B--11B and 11C--11C of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, respectively, illustratingthe respective positions of the elevator, cassette-support latches and ablocking member, all described in greater detail below;

FIG. 12 is a right side view of a changer apparatus, taken along theline 12--12 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of the priority eject mechanism usedwith the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a front sectional view taken along the line 14--14 in FIG. 13and illustrating the manner in which a "priority" cassette is ejectedfrom the output hopper;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view representing the transport of the "priority"cassette by the priority eject mechanism toward the priority hopper;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view representing the manner in which the"priority" cassette is fully transported into the priority hopper;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view representing the final disposition of the"priority" cassette into the priority hopper;

FIG. 18 is a perspective schematic view representing the manner in whichthe recording deck is releasably supported in the changer apparatus;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the record/playback deck and cassetteguide of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along lines 20--20 in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 a front view of the cassette guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the interest of simplification, the recording medium with which thechanger apparatus of the present invention is described herein isassumed to be a magnetic tape cassette. It will be appreciated, however,that other discrete recording media can be used, such as magnetic disks,magnetic tape cartridges, and other discrete recording media. The term"cassette" as used herein is intended to refer not only to conventionalmagnetic tape cassettes but also to such other discrete recording media.Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the cassettes with which thechanger apparatus of the present invention can be used may be standardsize cassettes, minicassettes, microcassettes, or the even smallercassettes described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,827. The term "cassette" is,of course, intended to refer to any or all of these magnetic tapecassettes and discrete recording media.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are usedthroughout, the cassette changer apparatus of the present invention isidentified generally by reference numeral 20 and is intended to be usedeither with a single dictating station from which a dictator may recordone or more messages on a cassette, as will be described, or with acentral dictation system, by which cassette changer 20 is electricallyconnected to a selected one of several dictating stations, as by ahard-wired connection or by telephone, whereby any one of severaldictators individually may record messages on a cassette. Cassettechanger 20 is comprised of a base 22, opposite side supports 24 and 26(shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 7), and a U-shaped rear panel 30 whichextends between and beyond side supports 25, 26. One leg 32 of U-shapedrear panel 30 cooperates with a side wall 40 and a portion of the rearpanel to form an input hopper 28 which is adapted to receive a stack ofcassettes, referred to herein as input cassettes TC_(I). As best shownin FIGS. 1 and 8-10, an output hopper 42 is formed by a pair of sidewalls 44 and 46 which are supported by and extend forwardly of rearpanel 30. Output hopper 42 is adapted to store a stack of usedcassettes, that is, cassettes which have been ejected from the recordingdeck (described below) and upon which one or more messages have beenrecorded. The cassettes which are stored in output hopper 42 arereferred to herein as output cassettes TC_(O). Finally, and optionally,a priority hopper 48 is formed of the remaining leg 34 of U-shaped rearpanel 30 (FIG. 1) which forms a side wall 52, in combination with yetanother side wall 50, this being best illustrated in FIGS. 8-10.Priority hopper 48 thus is seen to be formed of two side walls 50 and 52in combination with a portion of rear panel 30. Preferably, although notnecessarily, the spacing between input hopper 28 and output hopper 42 isshielded by a front panel 54 which extends between side walls 40 and 44;and, similarly, the spacing between output hopper 42 and priority hopper48 is shielded by a front panel 56 which extends between side walls 46and 50.

Input cassettes TC_(I) are properly maintained in input hopper 28 andare prevented from being inadvertently misaligned or dischargedtherefrom by the projection of flange 36 (which extends from leg 32 ofU-shaped rear panel 30) and by a similar projection of front panel 54,these projections serving to partially block the front wall of eachcassette in the input hopper. Similarly, projections of front panels 54and 56 serve to prevent the inadvertent misalignment or discharge ofcassettes in the output hopper; and similar projections are provided byflange 38 of leg 34 and a projection of front panel 56, therebypreventing the accidental misalignment or discharge of cassettes frompriority hopper 48. Front panel 56 is seen to end in a bottom edge 57(FIG. 1); and this front panel, together with front panel 54 and rearpanel 30 may be of one-piece construction. The particular machining,manufacturing and construction of these elements is not critical.Suffice it to say that an input hopper, an output hopper and a priorityhopper are formed. The manner in which cassettes are transported betweenthese hoppers will be described below.

Disposed within and, more accurately, below, input hopper 28 is acassette support platform 58, seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The stack of inputcassettes TC_(I) is supported on cassette support platform 58. A slot 59(best seen in FIG. 2) is formed in the cassette support platform topermit an upstanding finger 62 of a pusher arm 60 to move through theslot. As will be described in greater detail below, pusher arm 60 isreciprocatingly driven such that upstanding finger 62 thereof contacts aside wall of the bottommost cassette within input hopper 28 to withdraw,or push, that cassette from the input hopper and onto a receivingplatform which operates to dispose that cassette at the recording deck.As will be described, pusher arm 60 is driven about a pivot axis 274(FIG. 2) in left-to-right direction to withdraw the bottommost cassettefrom input hopper 28, and then this pusher arm is pivoted in theright-to-left direction about pivot axis 274 to return to the positionwhereby it is positioned to withdraw the next cassette from the inputhopper. That is, as best shown in FIG. 2, pusher arm 60 isreciprocatingly driven from the position represented by broken lines tothat represented by the solid lines and then to return to that positionrepresented by the broken lines. As will be described, when returningfrom its rightmost position to its leftmost position, pusher arm 60 isdisplaced to a lower horizontal plane so as to return to its leftmostposition without interfering with the stack of cassettes stored in inputhopper 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, when in its leftmost position, pusher arm 60extends beyond leg 32. As shown in FIG. 1, this leg is provided with anopening 64 therein to prevent the extremity of pusher arm 60, andparticularly finger 62 thereof, to pass out of and then re-enter inputhopper 28.

As best seen in FIG. 1, side wall 40 of the input hopper is providedwith an exit slot 66 through which the bottommost cassette (identifiedas cassette TC_(I1)) is withdrawn from the input hopper and transportedto an elevator which is disposed below output hopper 42. As mentionedabove, the purpose of the elevator is to receive the cassette which iswithdrawn from input hopper 28, to lower that cassette onto therecording deck for the recording of messages thereon, and then to ejectthat cassette from the recording deck and position it at the bottom ofthe stack of output cassettes TC_(O) which are stored in output hopper42. This reciprocating, vertical movement of the elevator is carried outby the elevator structure generally indicated in FIG. 2 by referencenumeral 70.

As shown in FIG. 2, and also shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, elevator 70 iscomprised of a frame 72 to which an L-shaped arm 74 is coupled, this armbeing provided with a bushing 76 to permit the arm and frame to slidealong a guide shaft 78. This guide shaft is positioned between arearwardly-projecting extension 31 which extends from rear panel 30 andbase 22. Frame 72 also is provided with a guide tab 80 which, as shownin FIGS. 6 and 7, projects from a side edge of frame 72, this tab ridingin a guide slot 82 formed in side support 26.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, and as best seen in FIG. 8, a roller 84 ismounted on L-shaped arm 74, this roller functioning as a cam follower tobe described. Suffice it to say that roller 84 rides along an irregularsurface 242 of a cam 240 to transfer vertical movement to elevator 70.As will be explained, when roller 84 rides along cam surface 242 to apeak thereof, elevator 70 is driven in the upward direction to deposit acassette carried thereon to the bottom of the stack of output cassettesTC_(O). When roller 84 rides from the peak of cam surface 242 tointermediate portion, the elevator is driven in the downward directionto a receiving location aligned with cassette support platform 58 so asto receive a cassette pushed onto the elevator by pusher arm 60. Then,when roller 84 rides along cam surface 242 from the intermediate portionto a trough, elevator 70 loads the cassette thereon into operatingrelation with the recording deck.

From FIGS. 2 and 8-11, it will be seen that elevator 70 is provided withcassette-receiving platform 86 that is mounted on frame 72 by means of atongue 88. Thus, as frame 72 is driven upwardly and downwardly, tongue88 and platform 86 likewise are driven therewith. It is appreciated thatplatform 86 is adapted to receive and support a cassette.

Elevator 70 additionally includes a pair of hold-down arms 90 and 92which, as shown in FIG. 2, are L-shaped and terminate in claw-shapedfeet 94 and 96 respectively. The purpose of these hold-down arms and,particularly, claws 94 and 96, is to maintain a cassette on platform 86when elevator 70 lowers that cassette onto the recording deck and tomake sure that the cassette is seated properly on, or in goodregistration with, the deck during a recording or playback operation.Advantageously, claws 94 and 96 are mounted so as to pivot, or swingaway, when elevator 70 rises to dispose the cassette on platform 86 atthe bottom of the stack of output cassettes TC_(O). Accordingly,hold-down arms 90 and 92 extend from pivotable posts 98 and 100,respectively, these posts being pivotally coupled to frame 72, as shownin FIG. 2. Advantageously, spring elements 102 and 104 bias posts 98 and100 to urge hold-down arms 90 and 92 to the position shown in FIG. 2. Asbest illustrated in FIG. 8, claws 94 and 96 are provided with inclinedsurfaces 95 and 97, respectively, these surfaces being providedgenerally on the top of the claws. Inclined surfaces 95 and 97 areadapted to contact cam surfaces 106 and 108, respectively, of a verticalwall in the output hopper, the inclined surfaces of the claws beingbrought into contact with the cam surfaces of the vertical wall whenelevator 70 is raised. It is recognized that the forces exerted on claws94 and 96 when their inclined surfaces contact cam surfaces 106 and 108serve to pivot posts 98 and 100 so as to move the hold-down arms tononinterfering positions. This, in turn, permits the cassette supportedon platform 86 to be raised to the bottom of the stack of outputcassettes TC_(O) in output hopper 42. As best shown in FIG. 8, theaforementioned vertical wall on which cam surfaces 106 and 108 aredisposed is provided with guide slots 110 and 112 to accommodate claws94 and 96 when the hold-down arms pivot to the aforementionednoninterfering position. The accommodation of claws 94 and 96 withinguide slots 110 and 112 is best seen in FIG. 9.

Elevator 70 also includes a blocking member 134 (partially shown in FIG.1 and shown more clearly in FIG. 11) which is disposed below the outputstack of cassettes TC_(O) and functions to prevent inadvertentdislocation of a cassette, such as the bottommost cassette in outputhopper 42, to interfere with elevator platform 86 or with a cassettethat already is supported on that platform. As will be described, therecording deck is disposed beneath and aligned with output hopper 42,and blocking member 134 prevents a cassette from dropping down intointerference with the recording deck.

As best seen in FIG. 11, and also shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7, blockingmember 134 is formed with a finger-like stop member 136, the stop memberand blocking member preferably being of unitary construction. Stopmember 136 is pivotally coupled to frame 72 of elevator 70. Moreparticularly, frame 72 is provided with a pair of upstanding ears 138and 140; and stop member 136 is provided with pivot stubs 142 and 144which are pivotally coupled to ears 138 and 140, respectively. Thus,blocking member 134 is seen to be pivotally coupled to ears 138 and 140and, thereby, the blocking member is pivotally coupled to elevator frame72. The stop member limits the counterclockwise rotation of blockingmember 134, which rotation is urged by spring 141.

Rear panel 30 is provided with a depending contact member 146, bestshown in FIGS. 8-11. It is appreciated that, when elevator 70 is drivenin the upward direction, this depending contact member 146 is disposedto intercept blocking member 134. As a result of this interception, aforce is exerted in the downward direction on blocking member 134 bycontact member 146. Consequently, the blocking member pivots in thedownward direction (shown in FIG. 11B) as elevator frame 72 rises. Inthis manner, the blocking member is pivoted out of its blockingconfiguration to permit the cassette supported on platform 86 to beraised into the bottom of output hopper 42.

The stack of output cassettes TC_(O) is supported in output hopper 42 bymeans of a pair of rear latches 120 and 122 and a front latch 124. Asused herein, the designation "rear" refers to those elements alignedwith or operable on the rear wall of a cassette, this rear wall beingadjacent rear panel 30; and the designation "front" refers to thoseelements which contact or cooperate with the front wall of the cassette.Thus, rear latches 120 and 122 are adapted to support the bottommostcassette in output hopper 42 in the vicinity of the rear wall thereof,and front latch 124 is adapted to support this cassette in the vicinityof its front wall. In the embodiment described herein, rear latches 120and 122 are adapted to support the rear corners of the bottom wall of acassette, and front latch 124 is adapted to support the bottom wall of acassette along the front edge thereof. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6-11,rear latches 120 and 122 constitute the respective free ends of U-shapedyoke 114, this yoke being pivotally coupled to a frame 115 which ismounted on the rear surface of rear panel 30 (FIGS. 2 and 7), As shownin FIGS. 2 and 11, yoke 114 is provided with pivot couplings 116 and 118by which the yoke is pivotally coupled to frame 115. Preferably, one orboth of pivot couplings 116 and 118 is provided with a spring bias tomaintain the yoke and rear latches 120 and 122 in the supportingconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11A.

Front latch 124 is pivotally coupled to ears 126 and 128 which extendoutwardly from front panels 56 and 54, repectively, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The front latch is provided with stubs 130 and 132, which arepivotally supported in ears 126 and 128, respectively, as shown in FIGS.1 and 2. Preferably, one or both of these pivot couplings is providedwith a spring bias to urge front latch 124 to the configurationillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11A.

When elevator 70 raises a cassette from the recording deck to outputhopper 42, the front and rear edges of the top wall of this cassetteengage the illustrated inclined surfaces of front latch 124 and rearlatches 120 and 122 so as to pivot these latches in a direction toovercome the spring bias thereon, as shown by the broken lines in FIG.11B. In this manner, the latches pivot out of interference with thecassette being raised to the bottom of output hopper 42. After thiscassette has been raised sufficiently to clear latches 120, 122 and 124,the spring bias forces exerted thereon tend to return those latches tothe configuration best seen in FIGS. 11A and 11C, whereby the latchesare positioned to support the bottommost cassette in the output stackTC_(O). Hence, the output stack of cassettes TC_(O) is supported inoutput hopper 42 by latches 120, 122 and 124.

As mentioned before, the recording deck, referred to herein as arecord/playback deck, is disposed beneath output hopper 42 and isadapted to record and/or play back messages on a cassette which is"loaded" thereon. The record/playback deck, referred to generally byreference numeral 150, may include the usual drive and spindles,capstan, pinch roller, record/playback head, and erase head normallyprovided on conventional recording apparatus. It is appreciated that,when the record/playback deck is used to record messages on, forexample, minicassettes, the capstan and pinch roller can be omitted.Stated generally, the record/playback deck is provided with conventionalmeans to transport the magnetic medium (i.e., the magnetic tape) andrecord or play back information thereon.

Record/playback deck 150 is supported on deck support plate 152 (FIGS.1, 12 and 18), this support plate being supported, in turn, by a decksupport frame 154. Preferably, the deck support frame is formed ofresilient material, such as ABS, the rear portion thereof being providedwith a pair of bosses 156 and 158 (FIGS. 2, 6 and 7) for supportinghangers 160 and 162 (FIGS. 2, 6, 7 and 18) which extend upwardly fromthe rear of deck support plate 152. It is seen that the rear portion ofrecord/playback deck 150 is pivotally coupled to deck support frame 154by way of the cooperation between hangers 160 and 162, and the bosses156 and 158, respectively. The front portion of deck support frame 154is provided with a pair of flexible upstanding ears 164 and 166 (FIGS. 1and 18) that include slots 168 and 170, respectively, to receive andsupport the front portion of deck support plate 152. As depicted in FIG.18, ears 164 and 166 may be manually spread apart to release supportplate 152, thereby permitting the record/playback deck to be droppeddown, as illustrated. Generally, this dropping down of therecord/playback deck permits access to a cassette which may be jammedtherein or permits a user to carry out relatively simple maintenance andrepair of the deck. In the event that more substantial servicing of thedeck is needed, hangers 160 and 162 may be lifted from bosses 156 and158 to permit the deck to be fully withdrawn and removed from frame 154.

Although not shown herein, it will be appreciated that a suitableelectronic flexible connecting device, such as a ribbon connector, orthe like, may be coupled to the rear of record/playback deck 150 toprovide the necessary electrical power, control and communicationsignals to the deck. This relatively flexible electrical connectionpermits the deck to be withdrawn without damaging the electricalconnection thereto.

The foregoing has described generally the structure of the cassettechanger apparatus by which the bottommost cassette in input hopper 28 iswithdrawn therefrom, transported to platform 86 of elevator 70 forlowering onto record/playback deck 150 for recording of messages, andthen, after the recording operation has been completed, elevator 70raises this cassette to the bottom of output hopper 42 and returnsplatform 86 to a position for receiving a fresh cassette. As mentionedabove, it is one feature of the present invention to discharge fromoutput hopper 42 a cassette which has been designated a "priority"cassette. Such priority discharge apparatus is comprised of a priorityeject finger 198 (FIGS. 2 and 14-17), a lead screw 206 and a pivotableflapper 178 (FIGS. 2, 8-10 and 14-17) disposed in the vicinity ofpriority hopper 148. Priority eject finger 198 is provided with a leg200 and is secured to a lead screw follower 202. Advantageously, leg 200and lead screw follower 202 are of unitary construction. A bias spring204 disposed within the bore of lead-screw follower 202 serves to biasthis follower to lead screw 206. As will be described below, as a resultof this biasing, priority eject finger 198 tends to rotate with therotation of lead screw 206. That is, if the lead screw rotates in aclockwise direction, eject finger 198 likewise rotates in this clockwisedirection so as to rotate leg 200. Conversely, if lead screw 206 rotatesin the counterclockwise direction, eject finger 198 likewise rotates inthe counterclockwise direction to rotate leg 200.

The opposite ends of lead screw 206 are disposed in bushings 208 and 210(FIG. 2) which, in turn, are supported in lead screw support brackets212 and 214 secured to front panel 54 and to leg 34, respectively. Apriority drive motor 216 has its drive shaft coupled to a pulley 218which is entrained by a drive belt 220 with a lead screw pulley 222. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 12, lead screw pulley 222 is coupled to one end,for example, the rightmost end, of lead screw 206 to rotate the leadscrew in a direction determined by the direction of rotation of drivemotor 216. A pair of stop members 224 and 226 are disposed in thevicinity of the opposite ends of lead screw 206 and serve to preventover-travel of eject finger 198 in the event that priority drive motor216 fails to be de-energized as will be described. Motor switches 228and 230 also are disposed in the vicinity of the opposite ends of leadscrew 206 and are adapted to be contacted by eject finger 198 when thisfinger has been driven to its leftmost, or start (or standby), position,and to its rightmost, or limit position, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a shield 232 overlies lead screw 206, thisshield being provided with an elongated slit 234 therein. Slit 234 has avertical notch 236 at the left end thereof and an enlarged notch 238 atthe right end thereof. As can be seen from FIG. 14, eject finger 198 isprovided with a heel 201 which projects outwardly from elongated slit234. When the eject finger is disposed at its start, or standby,position (FIG. 2), heel 201 is aligned with vertical notch 236. Hence,when lead screw 206 rotates in the clockwise direction, eject finger 198likewise rotates (because of biasing exerted by spring 204) and heel 201passes through vertical notch 236 to permit the eject finger to rotateto the position represented by broken lines in FIG. 13. In thisconfiguration, leg 200 is adapted to contact the left side wall of thebottommost cassette in output hopper 42. As lead screw 206 continues torotate, the bottom edge of front panel 54 (FIG. 13) prevents furtherrotation of eject finger 198, thereby permitting lead-screw follower 202to "follow" the rotation of the lead screw. As a consequence, thecassette which is contacted by leg 200 is discharged from output hopper42 and is driven into priority hopper 148.

This "priority" cassette remains within the priority hopper whenpriority drive motor 216 is reversed to drive lead screw 206 in theopposite direction. The reversal of the priority drive motor istriggered when eject finger 198 reaches its limit position and contactslimit switch 230 to cause the energization of the priority drive motorto reverse. When at its limit position, eject finger 198 is in thevicinity of enlarged notch 238; and the eject finger rotates with therotation of lead screw 206 (again, because of the biasing exerted byspring 204) to position heel 201 against the upper edge of elongatedslot 234. Further rotation of eject finger 198 thus is prevented; andlead-screw follower 202 now "follows" the counterclockwise rotation oflead screw 206 to drive the eject finger back to its starting or standbyposition. It is appreciated that shield 232 thus functions to limit therotation of eject finger 198 with the rotation of lead screw 206 so asto permit the eject finger to be properly positioned as it is drivenalong the lead screw.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be readilyappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changesand modifications may be made. For example, a respective input hopper,output hopper, and priority hopper have been illustrated as being formedas vertical hoppers to store vertical stacks of cassettes.Alternatively, such hoppers may take the form of horizontal hoppers; andadjustments to accommodate the horizontal movement of a cassette may bemade in the apparatus that has been described above. Furthermore,although desirable, the use of blocking member 134 may be omitted.However, this blocking member advantageously prevents the inadvertentdislocation of a cassette from output hopper 42 to interfere withrecord/playback deck 150. Still further, it is appreciated thatmodifications and changes in design details may be made, as desired.

Advantageously, a single cam 240 is used to coordinate the operations ofpusher arm 60 and elevator 70 without requiring electronic control overseparate motors to effect such coordination.

It is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including thepreferred embodiment described above as well as variations andmodifications which will become apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art. The terms of the claims thus should not be viewed as limitingthe present invention solely to such terms, but rather, the claims areintended to cover equivalents of the disclosed structure.

What is claimed is:
 1. Changer apparatus of the type having an inputhopper for storing fresh record cartridges, an output hopper for storingused record cartridges, a recording deck for recording and for playingback messages on said record cartridges, and means for transportingfresh record cartridges, one at a time, form siad input hopper along atransport path to said recording deck and for transporting a used recordcartridge from said recording deck to said output hopper, and furthercomprising deck support means for supporting said recording deck in anoperating position below said transport path, said deck support meansincluding pivotally supporting means for pivotally supporting one end ofsaid recording deck and releasable means for supporting the opposite endof said recording deck and being manually releasable to enable saidrecording deck to pivot about said pivotally supporting means to anonoperating position and thereby permit access thereto by an operator,said releasable means comprising a frame having a pair of flexiblespaced apart ears biased toward each other; and a support plate on whichsaid recording deck is mounted, said support plate being supported bysaid spaced apart ears and being released therefrom when said ears areurged away from each other.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidpivotally supporting means comprises a frame, a pair of bosses on saidframe, and a pair of hanger means on said deck and being removablysupported on said bosses; and wherein said recording deck pivotsdownward about said bosses when said flexible ears are urged away fromeach other; and said recording deck being removed from said changerapparatus by lifting said hanger means from said bosses.